Man convicted of second-degree murder in 2009 shooting death of Lennon Johnson, Jr.

FLINT, Michigan — A jury has found a 24-year-old Flint man guilty of second-degree murder in the 2009 shooting death of Lennon Johnson, Jr., according to the Genesee County Prosecutor's office.

The verdict was handed down today, according to court records. Shawn D. Gardner was also convicted of felony firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm

Johnson, 20 was shot and killed on August 16, 2009.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gardner and Ricco Holmes, who
pleaded guilty to second degree murder on March 15, followed Johnson out of a club on Clio Road the night he was shot.

Testimony during the trial indicated that Gardner fired shots from an assault rifle during a car chase.

Johnson was
shot in the head inside his car and was then hit by oncoming traffic as his vehicle
entered the intersection of Pierson and Kermit roads.

“Given a reluctance by witnesses to come forward and testify, this was
not an easy case for us to prove so I am very grateful for today’s
verdict,” said Leyton.

“Fortunately, the officers and detectives in the City of Flint Police
Department did an outstanding job in their investigation. Their
tireless efforts and hard work and assistance during the prosecution of
the case saw justice through,” he said.

Gardner is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28 in Genesee Circuit Judge Archie L. Hayman's courtroom.